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Fall officially begins Sept. 22, but in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., that only means a whole new array of activities and events for visitors to enjoy. So don't put away that sunscreen before checking out what this charming seaside town has to offer this fall.

Located just 10 miles east of Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach is one of the most popular summer vacation spots on the East Coast. Every year, visitors flock to the town to laze in the sun, play in the surf, go fishing, and enjoy the town's restaurants and shopping. Throughout the summer season, crowds line the beaches and special events keep Wrightsville Beach alive with fun.

A lot of folks say fall is their favorite time because it costs less to have the same kind of vacation they can have in the summer. Added value has caused them to designate fall as their “new summer.”

Fall is the time when Wrightsville Beach downshifts into a slower pace. The crowds are gone, but the perks of summer remain.

When the calendar says it's autumn, the five-mile stretch of sand along Wrightsville Beach is still warm and inviting. The mid-day air temperatures stay in the mid-70s and 80s, and the strong North Carolina sun makes it feel much warmer. Meanwhile, the Gulf Steam just offshore pumps warm water onshore, delivering fall water temperatures that are still several degrees warmer than the ocean temperatures at mid-Atlantic and northeastern beach in the height of summer!

Fall is the perfect time for a morning bike ride or a romantic evening stroll along the beach.

Catch a wave and enjoy some surfing. Rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard and take a self-guided tour of area wildlife.

Like to fish? Wrightsville Beach's fishing experts offer the best in saltwater fishing. Arrange a family inshore bottom fishing tour and head out in pursuit of flounder and sea bass. Charter a boat and enjoy some sport fishing. Whether one's favorite fish is swimming near shore or offshore, memories of a charter trip will last long after leaving the boat.

Wrightsville Beach is also known for its award-winning seafood dishes. Charming restaurants around town offer everything from the coziness of a local diner to the romance of dining under the stars. And when it's time to stay in and have dinner brought to the door, Wrightsville Beach can accommodate that too.

For the restless “day-tripper,” there's even more to do when journeying outside the home base of Wrightsville Beach to the greater Wilmington area. Steeped in history, the area offers numerous historic buildings and museums, as well as other unique attractions.

During fall, Wrightsville Beach is alive with events. Whether someone is a participant or a spectator, he or she won't want to miss the excitement and fun. Here are just a few of the events scheduled for fall:

On Sept. 25, Wrightsville Beach hosts the largest single distance one-day event from Northern Virginia to Florida. The 32nd Annual YMCA Triathlon has 1,300 participants who compete in a 1,500-meter swim; a one-loop bike course that crosses the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge and travels onto the mainland; and a 5K run course.

Dog-lovers won't want to miss the town's 17th Annual Bark in the Park Canine Disc Championship, where mutts and purebreds will leap to the sky to catch flying discs. The event, which will take place at Wrightsville Beach State Park on Oct. 9, is free to all spectators and competitors.

Paddleboarding is fast becoming one of the most popular sports along the coast, and on Oct. 23, Wrightsville Beach will be the starting point for the 2nd Annual Southeast Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Championship 25-mile relay.

As the fall winds its way into November, Wrightsville Beach will host a 5K run/walk. Set for Nov. 6, people of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate as the event begins and ends at Wrightsville Beach Town Park.

It's easy and affordable to kick back and relax with one of Wrightsville Beach's special fall rates and stay and play packages. Great values can be found in the Blockade Runner Beach Resort's Extended Weekend Package or with the Holiday Inn Resort's Southern Sunrise special. If someone is looking to add in a little romance, the Blockade Runner Beach Resort's Two Night Rendezvous Package or the Shell Island Resort's Romance Special are for you. All these packages include some goodies like free champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries or discounts on dinner.

Summer doesn't end in the South just because the calendar says so. Fall in Wrightsville Beach is warm, making it the perfect time to take advantage of great values and uncrowded beaches — to savor the relaxed atmosphere of a charming beach town. One autumn in Wrightsville Beach and one just might find that fall is the new summer.

For more information about Wrightsville Beach and to check out special offers at local hotels throughout the fall, go to http://www.visitWrightsville.com/fall. Stay up to date on the latest chatter about Wrightsville Beach on Facebook and Twitter.